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From Nişantaşı trattorias to Karaköy pizzerias, here are the best Italian restaurants in Istanbul for handmade pasta, Neapolitan pizza, wine lists, and Bosphorus views.
Table of Contents
Best Italian Restaurants in Istanbul (European Side)
1. Paps Italian
Paps Italian (2015) brings Naples to Karaköy’s Historic French Passage: slow-fermented sourdough pizzas, handmade pastas, and chef Luigi Mariconda’s family recipes. A second outpost at Emaar Square keeps the love flowing—cozy room, big flavors, no fuss.
What to order: Truffle ravioli; slow-cooked beef ribs; a classic Margherita (for the dough); finish with the family-recipe tiramisu.
Karaköy: Kemankeş Mah., French Geçit Sk., A Blok No:4 | instagram.com/papsitalian
2. Serafina Kanyon
From a stormy-seas vow to a global brand, Serafina does thin-crust pies, daily soups, and crowd-pleasing plates across multiple Istanbul locations. Simple ingredients, clean flavors, big menu.
What to order: Linguine ai frutti di mare; “Di Sofia” pizza; costine di manzo (beef ribs); panna cotta.
Akmerkez: Nispetiye Cad., Etiler | Kanyon: Büyükdere Cad. No:185 Kat:1 | instagram.com/serafinakanyon
3. Napoli Gourmet
Napoli Gourmet leans into Neapolitan spirit—warm welcome cocktail, cheerful décor, generous plates. A reliable Nişantaşı fix for pizza-and-pasta cravings.
What to order: Neapolitan pizza (test the cornicione); spaghetti alle vongole or alla nerano; tiramisu or panna cotta with espresso.
Hüsrev Gerede Cad. No:38, Teşvikiye, Beşiktaş | instagram.com/napoligourmet.nisantasi
4. Gina
Gina (Galataport & Kanyon) pairs polished rooms with a menu that rotates with the seasons—bright antipasti, seafood-forward mains, and a confident wine list.
What to order: Tuna tartare; burrata; seafood risotto; Neapolitan or seafood pizza; classic chocolate tiramisu; house cocktails.
Kanyon: Büyükdere Cad., Levent | Galataport: Kılıçali Paşa Mah., Beyoğlu | gina.com.tr
La Scarpetta
La Scarpetta is the Etiler hideaway for purists: seasonal produce only, wood-fired pizzas, and plates built to be wiped clean (name checks out).
What to order: “La Scarpetta” pizza (beef carpaccio, stracciatella, fresh truffle); ossobuco-style veal shank with saffron risotto; daily seasonal salad.
Dilhayat Sk. No:16, Etiler | instagram.com/trattorialascarpetta
5. Stefano by İsmet Saz
Chef İsmet Saz’s Stefano overlooks the Bosphorus at Kuruçeşme—smart, warm, and geared for long dinners (or chef’s table theatrics with pairings).
What to order: Beef carpaccio; truffle risotto; calamari fritti; regional pasta special of the day; ask for the chef’s tasting if you’re celebrating.
Kuruçeşme: Muallim Naci Cad. No:11 | Erenköy: Yener Sok. No:5 D:1A | instagram.com/stefanobyismetsaz
6. Il Cortile Ristorante Pizzeria
Steps from Galata Tower, Il Cortile serves polished trattoria classics in a historic courtyard (the former Ecole St. Pierre). Chef Nihat Sancar keeps it broad: gnocchi, lasagna, risotti, seafood.
What to order: Shrimp ravioli; octopus carpaccio; beef cheek with polenta; seafood lasagna; panna cotta or crème brûlée.
Galata Kulesi Sk. No:14 D:20, Beyoğlu | instagram.com/ilcortileistanbul
7. Antica Locanda
Antica Locanda in Arnavutköy is chef Gian Carlo Talerico’s ode to regional Italy—garden in summer, robust flavors year-round, meticulous sourcing.
What to order: Seasonal antipasti; wood-fired pizza bianca; tagliatelle al ragù; lemony tart or semifreddo to finish.
Sales Meydanı Sk. No:12, Arnavutköy | instagram.com/ANTICALOCANDAIS
8. Morini
At Zorlu Center’s Beymen, Morini (by Michael White; now helmed locally) stays buzzy with seasonal updates, polished service, and a dessert list that dares you to choose.
What to order: Any signature pasta (ask for seasonal special); fritto misto; mushroom risotto; share two desserts.
Zorlu Center, Beşiktaş | instagram.com/istanbulmorini
9. Cipriani
Housed in the historic Maçka Palas, Cipriani brings Venetian glamour and exacting simplicity—regional recipes, impeccable room, white-jacket energy.
What to order: Carpaccio alla Cipriani; tagliolini verdi al prosciutto; baked tagliolini; vanilla meringue cake. (Yes, order a Bellini.)
Maçka Palas, Maçka Cd. No:33/C, Şişli | instagram.com/cipriani
10. Cecconi’s
Cecconi’s hides in the leafy courtyard of Palazzo Corpi—handmade pasta, seafood, and Northern-leaning plates; dinner daily and a popular Sunday brunch.
What to order: Lamb chops with spinach & wild mushrooms; wild-mushroom risotto; zucchini flower & ricotta pizza; cacio e pepe.
Evliya Çelebi Mah., Meşrutiyet Cad. No:56, Beyoğlu | instagram.com/cecconisrestaurants
11. Eataly
At Zorlu Center, Eataly is both marketplace and table: two restaurants (Terrazza Italia & Pizza e Cucina), shelves of Italian pantry gold, and dough that sings in a wood oven.
What to order: Spaghetti ai 5 pomodori; lasagne verdi al ragù; a sourdough pizza (Margherita or Diavola); end with gelato or tiramisu.
Zorlu Center Köprü Katı, Beşiktaş | instagram.com/eatalytr
12. Da Mario
Since 1993, Da Mario has been Istanbul’s evergreen Italian—Etiler classic plus a sleek İstinyePark branch. Comfortable rooms, well-executed staples, easy to love.
What to order: Artichoke salad with parmesan & avocado; mushroom or seafood risotto; prosciutto e rucola pizza; tiramisu.
Etiler: Dilhayat Sok. No:7 | İstinyePark: Tarabya Bayırı Cad. No:11 D:519 | instagram.com/damarioist
13. Marcello Ristorante
On the rooftop of The Stay Nişantaşı, Marcello mixes Naples and Genova know-how: Executive Chef Luigi Mariconda and focaccia maestro Massimiliano Nardo star.
What to order: Focaccia tipo Recco with pesto; seasonal risotto; pistachio semifreddo; an aperitivo on the terrace first.
The Stay Nişantaşı, Teras Katı, Abdi İpekçi Cad. No:30 | instagram.com/marcelloilristorante
14. Brio Istanbul
Garden when it’s warm, snug interior when it’s not—Brio keeps things neighborly in Sarıyer with pizza favorites and house-made pastas.
What to order: Pizza Primavera (goat cheese, eggplant, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms); mushroom risotto “Funghi”; a glass of red from the list.
Uskumruköy, Kilyos Cad. No:322, Sarıyer | instagram.com/brioitalianistanbul
15. Da Vittorio Ristorante, Mövenpick Hotel Bosphorus
Da Vittorio crowns the Mövenpick terrace with Bosphorus views and Sicilian flair from chef Vittorio Sindoni—elegant but relaxed.
What to order: Handmade pizzas or tagliatelle; baked beef ribs; grilled tenderloin; cotoletta alla milanese; ricotta–pear tiramisu or Amalfi-style tart.
Balmumcu Mah., Barbaros Blv. No:165, Beşiktaş | instagram.com/davittorioristorante.ist
16. Imperia Ristorante
In Yeniköy, Imperia keeps it homestyle and honest: Neapolitan sourdough pizzas, pastas made with care, and a few tartines plus vegan choices.
What to order: Roasted tomato soup to start; margherita or diavola pizza (to test the dough); potato–brie tartine; a vegan pasta if you’re plant-based.
Bilgi Sk. No:15, Sarıyer | instagram.com/imperiaristorante
Best Italian Restaurants in Istanbul (Anatolian Side)
17. Fauna
Fauna grew from five tables to a beloved Ataşehir fixture. Chef-owner İbrahim Tuna sources obsessively and makes pasta to order—neighborhood intimacy, trattoria soul.
What to order: Roasted eggplant pasta; Karakaya lamb-neck ragù; seasonal soup (no thickeners); white-chocolate & vanilla pudding.
Işıklar Cad., Ahmet Muhip Dıranas Sk. No:9/B, Ataşehir | instagram.com/faunarestoran
18. Trattoria da Rosario
A Koşuyolu classic, Trattoria da Rosario keeps the faith with imported flours, an Italian oven, and a leafy, laid-back setting. Ask ahead about the parmesan-wheel spaghetti nights.
What to order: Spaghetti al formaggio nella ruota (on wheel nights); quattro formaggi pizza; tiramisu.
Koşuyolu Mah., Kalfaçeşme Sk. No:22, Kadıköy | instagram.com/rosariorestaurant
19. Aida Vino e Cucina
Aida channels a small Italian osteria—seasonal boards, live-piano nights, and recipes cooked the way nonna intended.
What to order: House ravioli; risotto of the day; chestnut & porcini soup (seasonal); a glass from the wine list that leans Italian.
Caferağa, Ressam Şeref Akdik Sk. No:10, Kadıköy | instagram.com/aidavinoecucina
20. Nello’s
Neighbhorhood-favorite Nello’s swings from pizzas and gnocchi to breezy seafood pastas—casual, lively, consistently tasty.
What to order: Burrata pizza; seafood linguine; Monday-only fresh gnocchi; affogato for a simple sweet finish.
Halay Sk. No:10, Kadıköy | instagram.com/nellosistanbul
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